This article shows how Renewalism (Pentecostals, Charismatics, and Third-Wavers) is the fastest growing movement in Christianity. This widespread influence requires more careful attention to their tongues doctrine.
Early, Medieval and pre-Reformation Christianity is full of references to tongues speaking or doctrinal addresses about Pentecost. See the infographic for more information.
Theologians and thinkers throughout history have vacillated on the idea that miracles, including tongues, have ceased. This infographic follows the theory throughout its courses.
The emphasis here is the connection of speaking in tongues with the ancient Jewish liturgy and the later evolution of this function in the Church. A web-interactive page. However, it takes a long time to load. Best viewed on a desktop computer.
Select samples of contemporary speaking in tongues from all over the world.
Catholic Tongues
The Christian doctrine of tongues from 100 to 300 AD
As you will see, there are only a few but important references during this time. This lack of literature during this period is a problem in every realm of Christian studies. The literature available on the subject greatly increases shortly after.
Tertullian
Tertullian is credited for introducing the Greek-based framework of Christianity into the Latin world. His writings established the fundamentals of Western Christianity.
He was a disciple of Polycarp, who himself was apparently a disciple of John the Evangelist. Best known for his work among the people of southern France in the first century.
Origen had an incredible combination of both faith and learning that was unequalled in his era. Almost every movement looks to Origen for supporting their view of tongues. The following article explores these different opinions and looks to the actual sources to find which one is correct.
The Christian doctrine of tongues from 301 to 476 AD
These centuries bring a wealth of information and commentary about the doctrine of tongues. Almost everyone who comes to this page is amazed at the amount available. This section stops at the iconic year when the Roman empire falls.
Pachomius
Pachomius, a Coptic Christian who lived in Egypt, was a highly revered leader and founder of Cenobitic Monasticism—a stress on communal spiritual communities rather than individual isolation.
Ephrem is a revered leader of the Syrian Church who is best known for his collection of hymns. Great information is gleaned from a later biography and his commentary on I Corinthians.
Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, is considered one of the strongest apologists for the Christian faith. Perhaps, too strong on many occasions. The text attributed to him on tongues greatly clarifies the Corithian conflict.
This text was written by Didymus of Alexandria (controversy exists over the actual authorship) who was a disciple of Origen and considered one of the most learned men in Alexandria.
No author on the tongues debate has created more controversy than Gregory Nazianzus. His coverage caused the longest running debate in the history of the doctrine.
A history of Pentecost being the miracle of hearing.
See also Michael Psellos below.
John Chrysostom
One of the most quoted authors of the fourth century by contemporary researchers, Chrysostom was an eloquent speaker and writer who was straightforward rather than many of contemporaries who spoke in allegories. His height of popularity was in the Antioch Cathedral, Syria.
Augustine is considered one of the greatest writers of Western Civilization. His coverage on the nature and purpose of tongues is the most expansive of any ancient author.
An analysis of Augustine on Tongues and the Donatists. This article is old. See Augustine on the Tongues of Pentecost for the latest information.
Cyril of Alexandria
Leader of the Patriarchate of Alexandria during its greatest influence within the Roman Empire, Cyril of Alexandria had a far reaching effect on the development of the Christian movement—whether good or bad are questions forever debated. However, the works attributed to him give a glimpse into the evolution of tongues within the Alexandrian church.
The authors during this period wrote some carefully thought-out pieces on the doctrine of tongues.
John of Damascus
He was a Syrian monk and priest known not only for his theological views, but for writing hymns and music. He held a knowledge of many fields including law and philosophy.
The only native of Great Britain to be named the high honour of Doctor of the Church by the Catholic authorities. He deserves the title. His writing style is both technical and easy to read.
An interesting character from the Eastern Church who performed insanity as a way to overcome the vices of this world. There was one event where he is attributed to speaking in tongues—at a host party of a friend’s father. The tongues interlude unfolds in a way we are not used to but this doctrine does have its oddities.
Psellos was a writer, philosopher, politician, and master of the Greek language. He was an intellectual pompous genius. His coverage of Nazianzus’ tongues paradox shows all his ability in explaining tongues in detail. The neglect of his work, along with most in this era, is a big oversight by academics and reference materials.
If Renewalists read Aquinas, they would find a much more detailed framework for supernatural living than what they have developed today. Aquinas had the ability to collate and understand ancient material and present it in a cohesive manner appetizing for the Western critical mind. His conclusions still hold value for today.
The Catholic Church really had a thing for speaking in tongues during the late Medieval Age. The following examples show the popularity of this doctrine. Some accounts refer to persons all the way back to the New Testament. I think these early references are doubtful but accurately describe Late Medieval perceptions.
An introduction to the many invaluable texts on the subject. However, we must proceed to read these accounts as perceptions which may or may not be realistic.
St. Patiens was one of the first Bishops of the city of Metz, France, around 150 AD. This begins the story of speaking in tongues, internal politics, sainthood and business.
St. Norbert of Xanten
Translation and analysis of St. Norbert of Xanten. A 12th-century Christian who is claimed to have spoken in tongues.
St. David, Padarn, and Teilo are important figures in the history of Wales. They provide a literary bridge for the establishment of Christianity in that region.
Ferrer was an itinerant Dominican missionary that traveled extensively throughout Europe. He only spoke and preached in his native Valencian language but the people miraculously understood it in their own language.
Francis Xavier
The most controversial subject, and an embarassing one, on speaking in tongues in Catholic history. His legend became the symbol of Protestant attacks of rampant corruption. The legend is interesting and the reality is different. The following is an examination of both sides.
This article, produced by Victor Salas, covers the gift of tongues from the perspective of the Spanish revered theologian (and philosopher) within the 16th and 17th centuries.
1700s
Pope Benedict the XIV
Pope Bendict the XIV was one of the most enlightened and intellectually astute leaders the Catholic Church has ever had. In response to the Xavier tongues crisis almost 200 years previous, he prepared and wrote one of the most in-depth treatise on the doctrine of tongues ever.
Treatise on the Gift of Tongues as a Category for Sainthood: English Translation.
Treatise on the Gift of Tongues as a Category for Sainthood: Original Latin.
The stringent requirements that he set for miraculously identifying speaking in tongues seriously curtailed the rite in the Catholic Church.
Women Throughout Catholic History Speaking in Tongues
How the Protestant Movement started redefining speaking in tongues and pushed it into a new direction.
The Unknown Tongues Controversy
The idea of speaking in unknown tongues, and more specifically, unknown tongues is a tradition linked to European, and especially English Bible translation tradition. The following examines how this phrase first began and then dominated our English Bibles.
A technical look at comparing different Biblical translations.
Jean Calvin
Luther may have started the Protestant movement but Calvin gave structure to it. This early Protestant leader clarified what speaking in tongues meant in his age.
The original French/Latin 1565 print edition. I Corinthians 14 can be found on page 293ff.
Conyers Middleton
Conyers Middleton, a controversial 18th century historian, railed against the mystical excesses of his age and popularized the notion that miracles had ceased. Not only this but first connected the Montanists with contemporary hyper-supernaturalism.
— a masterpiece on the arguments outlining miracles and why the supernatural gifts displayed by early Christians have ceased. Therefore, the Christian doctrine of tongues is a moot point in contemporary practice.
A review of his small but well written treatise on tongues.
John Lightfoot
This seventeenth century English churchman and scholar had the unusual gift of reading and researching Jewish literature—unheard of in that geographic area at the time. His coverage of the Corinthian speaking in tongues takes both Church and Jewish literature into account. He produced a commentary on the subject unrivalled for almost 300 years.
A digitization and analysis of the well thought out work done in the 17th century by John Lightfoot on the Problem Tongues of Corinth.
The Camisards (18th century France)
The Camisards were a Huguenot (French Protestant) group in the south-central reaches of France. There was heavy persecution against the Camisards and one of the reactions was the perception that many were divinely inspired to speak in tongues.
An updated 1847 French version of the original text published by Maximilien Mission in 1707.
The Jansenist Convulsionists
The Convulsionists were a sect of the French Catholic group called the Jansenists. Members would fall to the floor in convulsions which outsiders thought were divine interventions. One or maybe two convulsionists were thought to have spoken in tongues. Jansenism and Christian Tongues
Revised and Updated. How an early 19th century group led by Edward Irving renewed interest in this gift. This event is the primary source of all Protestant theologies later developed on the subject.
Parallels between Parham and Irving’s movements suggest Parham borrowed ideas from the Irvingites.
1831-1900: The Doctrine of Glossolalia
Tongues as glossolalia is by far the most popular definition of speaking in tongues today. However, it is a recent addition to the Christian doctrine of tongues. It is only 200 years old. This section deals entirely with the birth and rise of the Doctrine of Glossolalia and its effect on modern interpretation.
An examination on why the traditional interpretations of the miracle of tongues all but died and was replaced by tongues as ecstasy or ecstatic utterance.
The early pioneers of the new definition of tongues as ecstasy, utterance and frenzy, the influence they had, how it spread and when the noun ‘glossolalia’ entered the English language.
This article attempts to find an answer to a difficult question: did Ecstasy and Glossolalia exist in pre-1879 Primary Source Literature about tongues? The answer is no, and I will show you why.
Comparing modern usage of the Patristic writers on the gift of tongues against the historical record. The answer is that too few are cited, too many ignored, and major sources totally overlooked.
A debate between two scholars on the influence of Montanism on the Christian doctrine of tongues and an analysis of Eusebius’ critical text on the subject.
An instrumental work on Greek pagan religions. It does not directly address tongues, but can be inferred and is cited by higher criticists in this manner.
A close look at the Delphi prophetesses and the proposed connection to the Christian doctrine of tongues. This exploration goes deep into the texts themselves and the people behind it.
Ekaputra Tupamahu’s dissertation has substantial and thorough coverage of the rise and establishment of the glossolalia doctrine—a source work for any researcher on the subject. His published work Contested Languages: et al is available for purchase too.
Nicholas Harkness’ has a deep portrait of the influence and expansion of Glossolalia, starting in Germany and furthering into the international community.
Why Ecclesiastical Writings have been neglected on this subject
The neglect of the ancient ecclesiastical writers is the primary source of ignorance on the history of tongues. These two articles explore why this neglect happened in the first place. The modern rite of speaking in tongues is one of the many consequences of this state.
The Doctrine of Cessationism – a doctrine that reappears throughout Christian history
Cessationism: the idea that the supernatural age of miracles died out after the establishment of the church. It is an old doctrine but reappears with a more rigorous and structured framework within the early Protestant movement.
Theologians and thinkers throughout history have vacillated on the idea that miracles, including tongues, have ceased. This infographic follows the theory throughout its courses.
The medieval world was steeped in magic and miracle both in Catholic and Protestant circles. The Protestant movement and philosophers took to remedying this excess.
The evolution of cessationism from the 1800s until today.
Note: other early Church writers push for partial cessationism where miracles such as tongues ceased while others perpetuated. This doctrine is an important part of Christian history that no one should easily dismiss. Cessationism is entirely rejected by Pentecostals and Charismatics. Catholics largely ignore the modern version because it is a debate largely confined to the Protestant communities.
1901 onwards: Pentecostal Tongues
The Gift of Tongues Project ends determining how the Christian doctrine of tongues shifted from the supernatural ability to speak or hear a foreign language to glossolalia, ecstasy, or a private prayer language. The goal is not to detail every Pentecostal or Charismatic movement, only why the change occurred. There may occur many more meanings or slight modifications in either the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements since the 1930s. The GOT Project is unconcerned about these as the goals of the project are met.
An image only edition of the first volume published in 1906. The real thing (not digitized for keyword search). The complete publications of The Apostolic Faith Newspaper can be found at the Pentecostal Archives. One of Azusa’s most significant manifestations was the gift of tongues—then the ability to supernaturally speak a foreign language. Not convinced? See their actual Newspaper and other source materials.
How the definition of tongues changed somewhere between 1906 and 1907. A summary and link to Gary B. McGee’s excellent article on the Pentecostal movement in the late 1800s and beyond.
A copy of the letter from Alfred Garr to A. A. Boddy, editor of the early Pentecostal magazine, Confidence, on why Garr’s supernatural tongue of Bengali did not happen when he arrived to India.
A history of Glossolalia in the Pentecostal Movement
Documenting how early Pentecostals found themselves in both a personal and theological crisis. They couldn’t speak the foreign language they thought they miraculously could. Outsiders mocked them for speaking gibberish.
How Pentecostals built their historical framework for their doctrine of tongues from Higher Criticism literature–a necessary but unlikely relationship.
The emphasis here is the connection of speaking in tongues with the ancient Jewish liturgy and the later evolution of this function in the Church. A web-interactive page. However, it takes a long time to load. Best viewed on a desktop computer.
How Jews, and later Christians, believed that Hebrew was so sacred that it was not only the personal language of the Divine, but also the first language spoken by mankind.
A 2nd century Jewish follower of Christ mentioned in the Talmud gives a small clue about the Jewish liturgy adapted in the Christian rite. Perhaps too small but worth pondering.
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It is highly recommended to read the series on Epiphanius on the tongues of Corinth found in the 300 — 450 AD section of the Gift of Tongues Project under Catholic History. This forms the basis for this series on Corinth.
Tongues as a Prayer Language Series
Pentecostal readers want more evidence on this subject, so this series is dedicated to answering the question about praying in tongues.
A recent response to the tongues of Corinth was that Christianity had already split from Judaism and praying in tongues was a completely derived Christian experience. This article is a reply to this argument.
Eben de Jager takes an extensive and critical look into the tongues of angels in first-century Middle-East literature.
Other Related Articles/Videos/Publications
Miscellaneous notes on the GOT Project. Important websites and videos by people active inside either the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements. High content publications relating to speaking in tongues.
Ecstasy in traditional Catholic terms was used similar to the Pentecostal doctrine of Spirit Baptism. This is a brief look into the Catholic use of ecstasy in the religious experience.
Kenneth Hagin was a Pentecostal Preacher and considered the father of the Word of Faith movement. His tongues speaking starts around the 7 minute mark.
A short clip of a crusade meeting with the late Reinhard Bonnke, a Pentecostal evangelist who focused on the African continent, and influential for over 72 million conversions.
John MacArthur, noted author, pastor and host of the radio program called Grace to You. He is a cessationist and one of the most well-known critics of the Charismatic movement.
Snippets relating to tongues speaking from a late 1800s periodical edited by Frank W. Sandford. Unfortunately, the link is no longer working. If anyone knows where a copy can be located, let me know.
